The Jehovah's Witnesses used to teach it was proper to worship the Lord Jesus.
This changed on January 1, 1954.
January 1, 1954
The Watchtower: Consequently, since the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is not a trinitarian co-person with God the Father, but is a distinct person, the Son of God, the answer to the above question must be that
no distinct worship is to be rendered to Jesus Christ now glorified in heaven. Our worship is to go to Jehovah God. However, we show the proper regard for God’s only-begotten Son by rendering our worship to God through and in the name of Jesus Christ. Even now when we kneel in prayer, as Paul did according to Ephesians 3:14-19, we offer prayer in the name of Jesus Christ in obedience to his own directions (John 15:16; 16:23-26), but the prayer itself is addressed, not to Jesus, but to God his Father. (Questions From Readers, January 1, 1954, page 31)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1954008
"Prayer is part of our worship"
1. The Watchtower: As the true and living God, Jehovah wants us to pray to Him, not to someone else. Prayer is part of our worship and for this reason should be directed only to the Creator, Jehovah. (Matt. 4:10) (How to Pray and Be Heard by God, May 15, 1969, page 293)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1969361
2. The Watchtower: Should Christians pray to Jesus Christ? No. (Do You Remember?, June 15, 2015, page 32)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2015450
Worship
1. Awake!: Jehovah’s Witnesses do not worship Jesus. (My Sikh Heritage—And My Search for Truth, December 22, 1987, page 22)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101987926
2. Awake!: The Bible shows that we should worship God alone. (Not Everything Called "Christian" Is Approved by God, January 8, 1973, page 28)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101973008
Before 1954
Charles Taze Russell (1879-1916)
Watch Tower Reprints: Prayer, it was shown, consists not merely of petition or request, but as a general term also includes invocation, adoration, communion and thanksgiving. It was pointed out that the prayers of "babes in Christ" are usually requests for earthly favors and blessings, whereas the advanced Christian rarely requests earthly favors. His prayers are usually thank offerings and communion seasons--telling the Lord (the Father or the Son, either or both, for the Father, as well as the Son, loves us;--John 16:27--and we have promise of communion with both;--John 14:23--both are to be worshiped and loved equally, for "all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father;" --John 5:23 (Our Chicago Convention , September 1893, Vol. 14, No. 17, 18, page 1580-1581)
Joseph Rutheford (1917-1942)
Vindication, vol. 3: The princes will lead the people in their worship of Jehovah and of Christ. (c. 1932, page 295)
Nathan Knorr (1942-1977)
The Watchtower: While there in Jerusalem Simeon the man of God, and the aged prophetess Anna, blessed and worshiped this Son of God. (Mary, the Mother of Jesus, August 15, 1950, page 266)
Praying to/worshiping Jesus after 1954 - the light of praying to and worshiping the Lord Jesus can never be extinguished.
1959
Acts 7:59
As they were stoning Stephen, he made this appeal: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)
The Watchtower: The
prayer offered by Stephen when he was being martyred is recorded at
Acts 7:59, 60 (Questions From Readers,
February 1, 1959, page 96).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1959086
It is common for Jehovah's Witnesses today to affirm that Stephen was experiencing a vision, so it really doesn't constitute him praying to the Lord Jesus.
Insight on the Scriptures: Though some claim that prayer may properly be addressed to others, such as to God’s Son, the evidence is emphatically to the contrary. True, there are rare instances in which words are addressed to Jesus Christ in heaven. Stephen, when about to die, appealed to Jesus, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Ac 7:59) However, the context reveals a circumstance giving basis for this exceptional expression.
Stephen at that very time had a vision of “Jesus standing at God’s right hand,” and evidently reacting as if he were in Jesus’ personal presence, he felt free to speak this plea to the one whom he recognized as the head of the Christian congregation. (Ac 7:55, 56; Col 1:18) (Prayer, volume 2, page 667-668)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003543
It is important to point out that the vision took place in the city, while the prayer took place after Stephen was cast
outside of the city.
Acts 7:58-59
(58)
After throwing him outside the city, they began stoning him. The witnesses laid down their outer garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.
(59) As they were stoning Stephen, he made this appeal" "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)
The Jehovah's Witnesses contradict themselves because they affirm what Isaiah experienced was a vision, but also say that he "prayed".
Insight on the Scriptures:
Visions from God were also received by such Bible writers as
Isaiah (1:1;
6:1-13), Amos (7:1-9, 12; 8:1, 2), and Ezekiel (1:1). (Vision, volume 2, January 1, 1988, page 1159)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200004564
Awake!—1987: How I longed to make known this good news to the grief-stricken people of Cambodia! This good news would offer them an unfailing hope and a wonderful goal in life. Since it was not possible to return to that country, I did my best to publish the good news to Cambodians living in Austria.
I prayed as Isaiah did, "Here I am! Send me." hoping that Jehovah would use me to help my fellow countrymen.—
Isaiah 6:8. (Cambodia—Surviving a Nightmare, February 22, 1987, page 19)
1971
The Watchtower: You can be helpful to those doing shepherding and teaching work; you can aid others in their
worship and service to God and Christ; you can make known the good news to others. (The Christian Ministry—What Does It Include?,
August 1, 1971, page 459).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1971562
1976
Asking in prayer that the Father and the Lord Jesus bless others.
The Watchtower: Jehovah God, the God of truth, has given us his solemn “word,” and “none that rests his faith on him will be disappointed.” (Rom. 10:11)
May He and his son richly bless you, and may you continue serving faithfully, now and to all future time. (A Solid Basis for Confidence,
July 15, 1976, page 443)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1976525
The Watchtower: Though the book of Revelation is largely symbolic, there is truly much food for thought and fine counsel and encouragement in its plain statements. In particular are its messages to the seven congregations in Asia Minor very beneficial. Also, repeatedly we find the need of endurance stressed and the bright hope given of the eventual triumph of righteousness. (Rev. 1:9; 2:3, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12) Also, throughout, it tells of or calls for
worship, praise, and honor to be given to the Creator, Jehovah God, and to the Lamb. (A Revelation—of Jehovah's Will and Purposes,
November 15, 1976, page 700)
1984
Thomas was a worshiper of the Lord Jesus.
John 20:28
In answer Thomas said to him: “My Lord and
my God!” (NWT)
The Watchtower: Only an inferior,
a worshiper, can refer to another as "my God." (The Trinity—Should You Believe It?,
February 1, 1984, page 5).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1984081
1988
Insight on the Scriptures: Paul's statement at 1 Corinthians 14:15 concerning
singing appears to indicate that it was a regular feature of Christian worship. In recording his inspired vision, John tells of various heavenly creatures
singing to God and Christ.—(
Re 5:8-10 14:3; 15:2-4) (Music,
January 1, 1988, page 453).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003137
Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!:
Thus, with John, we fervently pray: "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation and You,
c. 1988, page 319)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101988044
1989
Reasoning From the Scriptures:
Unify all creation in worship of the one true God
Rev. 5:13..."And every creature that is in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: 'To the One sitting on the throne [Jehovah God]
and to the Lamb [Jesus Christ] be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.'" (Kingdom,
January 1, 1989, page 228)
1990
All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial:
Paul expresses the prayer that the Lord of peace may give them "peace constantly in every way," and he concludes his letter with greetings in his own hand—
2 Thess. 3:16. (Bible Book Number 53—2 Thessalonians,
January 1, 1990, page 233).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101990114
The "Lord of peace" to whom Paul expresses this "prayer" is the Lord Jesus.
The Watchtower: Even as Jehovah is the God of peace, so his Son,
Jesus Christ, is the "Prince of peace," and the "Lord of peace." (Isa. 9:6;
2 Thess. 3:16) (The Christians' Possession of Peace, August 15, 1966, page 486)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1966601
1991
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
(11) Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus make a way for us to come to you.
(12) Moreover, may
the Lord cause you to increase, yes, to
abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,
(13)
so that he may make your hearts firm, blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the presence of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)
The Watchtower: The apostle
prayed that they
abound in love and that their
hearts be made firm. (Be Ready for Jehovah's Day!,
January 15, 1991, page 22)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1991047
The "Lord" to whom the apostle prayed is the Lord Jesus.
Insight on the Scriptures: Other references to
Christ's presence generally present encouragement to faithfulness and endurance until and during that time.-
1 Th 2:19;
3:12, 13; Jas 5:7, 8, 1 Jo 2:28. (Presence, volume 2,
January 1, 1988, page 679)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003548
1998
The Watchtower: Just as a considerate father would help his young son to walk with him, Jehovah has given us the best possible aid. He sent his only-begotten Son to the earth. In every step of his lifelong walk here on earth, Jesus Christ perfectly reflected his heavenly Father. (John 14:9, 10; Hebrews 1:3)
So in order to walk with God, we need to walk with Jesus. (‘Go On Walking in Union With Christ’,
June 1, 1998, page 9)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1998403
The Watchtower: Also urging prayer upon us are the many Scriptural injunctions and expressions that imply prayer. Only by prayer can we keep "calling upon the Father." Only by prayer can we 'throw our burden upon Jehovah, letting him sustain us.' And for us to 'trust in Jehovah with all our hearts' and for us to 'take notice of him in all our ways' we must come to him in prayer as well as search his Word.
Nor can we 'walk humbly with our God' without prayer; for who does not engage in conversation with one with whom he is walking; and what is prayer but talking with God? ("Be Vigilant with a View to Prayers," August 15, 1958, page 501)
2022
The Watchtower: In his prehuman existence,
Jesus was "a god," or divine one, but not
the God, the almighty God Jehovah.—
John 1:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16. (Jesus—Who Is He?, July 15, 1988, page 6)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1988521
Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!:
Worship may be defined as "the act of showing respect and love for a god." (What Is Worship?, Teaching Box 1A, October 1, 2018, page 10)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102017920
Examining the Scriptures Daily—2022: As we meditate on the Bible accounts of Jesus’ life,
we come to love and respect Jesus because of the kind way he dealt with people. (Sunday,
September 4, 2022, page 89)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102022208
